High volume pump

ABSTRACT

A high-volume low pressure axial flow water pump with a flexible coupler and at least one bearing to increase the lifetime of the integral pump motor is disclosed. Both propeller and impeller units are disclosed for submersible pond pumps of the present invention. Various aspects include a floating display fountain pump and further include optional suction screens and/or sand slingers. Axial flow high pressure low volume pumps made in accordance with the present invention experience long life and higher efficiency. Inclusion of flexible couplers alleviate many problems with vibration and other fatal defects in the prior art, taking a vertical rotational direction from a central shaft to transfer vibration to a stable position. Another aspect of the invention includes using multiple bearings for stability, whether sleeve bearings or thrust bearings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/241,870, filed on Oct. 15, 2015.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED, INCLUDING ON A COMPACTDISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sustainable and long lasting highvolume pond pump and methods of using same. More particularly, theinvention relates to a very efficient high volume, low pressure pondpump and its operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventional pond pumps are used for water fountains, decorative watersprays and aeration. These pond pumps draw water from the pond itselfand spray it up into the air to make tall fountains and decorative spraypatterns by using high volume, high pressure (HVHP) water pumps for highflow water generation. Typically, the pumps can spray something on theorder of 20+ gallons per minute (GPM) at 100 plus pounds per square inch(psi). Rarely can they spray more water than that. When high flow watergeneration was needed, prior art motors connected to those water pumpsneeded to work very hard to create sufficient hydraulic horsepower,typically on the order of from ½ horse power (HP) to about 5 HP for mostof these applications. Traditional radial flow impellers utilized withinradial flow pumps for such applications are considered to have a goodefficiency when they are only 65% efficient. Alternatively, traditionalaxial flow propeller pumps typically have a very low efficiency, and aretherefore undesirable for these applications.

Furthermore, conventional pump motor efficiencies have been affected bymechanical drag on the motor, typically due to the use of multiplebearings. The motor uses energy to move the propeller in order to movethe water, and is not used to move extra bearings or seals. Due to thisextra energy requirement, the mechanical drag on these motors causespremature motor failure. Although the industry has become somewhataccustomed to this, it is not a desirable attribute. The mechanical dragis also increased by a radial or side load, and when coupled with atypical rigid mechanical attachment, extra strain is put on the motor,decreasing its useful life. It would be of a great advantage to theindustry to have a low maintenance, higher efficiency pump if one coulddesign a pump that utilized less mechanical drag.

Submersible pond pumps are intended to remain in the water, producingfountains and water sprays for a long time. Purchasers of pond pumpsusually want a maintenance-free pump assembly in order to have themoperate continuously. Consequently, it would be desirable to the pondmaintenance industry if there was provided a longer lasting water pump,as well as the method of using it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses such a desirable fountain pump, withseveral advantages added to its design by the incorporation of aflexible coupler to provide longer life for the pond pump, and use ofsuitable bearings for stabilization, also increasing the lifespan of thepump motor. These advantages provide superior efficiencies andsignificantly add to the life of the pond pump, and nearly eliminate anyrequired maintenance. Methods are also disclosed as well for how to makeit and how to operate it.

A high volume pond pump is disclosed including a pump housing and a pumpmotor integral with the pump housing, a pump shaft mechanically incommunication with the pump motor, and being put into rotational motionby the pump motor, along with at least one water thruster attached tothe pump shaft. At least one bearing is located on the pump shaft, and aflexible coupler connects the pump motor to the at least one waterthruster, whereby the rotational motion is dampened from vibration,thereby lengthening the life of the pump motor.

The pond pump is a preferably a submersible pump, and may furthercomprise a suction screen located around the motor to strain out pondwater particulates that could harm the pump motor. The at least onewater thruster is either an impeller or a propeller. At least onebearing type may be selected from the group consisting of sleevebearings, thrust bearings, roller bearings, and any combination thereof.In certain aspects of the invention, the at least one bearing includesboth an upper and a lower bearing for added stability. The preferredbearing type is a thrust bearing made of a ceramic material selectedfrom the group consisting of silicon carbide, alumina, silicon nitrideand any combination thereof, in order to forestall corrosion.

Rather than a rigid coupler, the present invention may use a flexiblecoupler to absorb vibrational motion while the pump is operating,thereby greatly increasing the lifetime of the motor. Such a flexiblecoupler is advantageously made of any suitable material selected fromthe group consisting of linear low density polyethylene, rigid polymericmaterials, semi-rigid polymeric materials, polyvinyl chloride, PETG,butyrate, ABS, high impact polystyrene, styrene, polycarbonate,polypropylene, and thermoplastic elastomers, and combinations thereof.

A method of pumping pond water is disclosed, comprising providing a pondpump with a water thruster mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention, attaching a float to the pond pump, and floating the pondpump in a body of water, such as a pond. By providing power to themotor, the water thruster is put into motion and water is sprayed upwardinto the air by converting rotational motion of the pond pump intolinear forces on the pond water, whereby the pond water is forced upwardinto the air above the water.

By practicing this method, the pond water is aerated and algae growth isstunted to a great extent. Because algae growth is encouraged inanaerobic conditions, the present method helps to prevent this favorableanaerobic situation.

Although the invention will be described by way of examples herein belowfor specific aspects having certain features, it must also be realizedthat minor modifications that do not require undo experimentation on thepart of the practitioner are covered within the scope and breadth ofthis invention. Additional advantages and other novel features of thepresent invention will be set forth in the description that follows andin particular will be apparent to those skilled in the art uponexamination or may be learned within the practice of the invention.Therefore, the invention is capable of many other different aspects andits details are capable of modifications of various aspects which willbe obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art all without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the rest of thedescription will be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the expectedscope and various aspects of the present invention, reference shall bemade to the following detailed description, and when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts aregiven the same reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is an environmental view of a high volume pond pump used as afloating display fountain made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the pond pump assemblyfloating display fountain of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a side perspective view of the floating display fountain ofFIG. 1A without the float;

FIG. 1D is a top perspective view of the pond pump assembly of FIG. 1Awithout the float;

FIG. 2A illustrates a floating display fountain pond pump assemblywithout a float or suction screen;

FIG. 2B shows a cut-away elevational view of the floating displayfountain pump assembly without a float or suction screen;

FIG. 2C shows an enlarged cut-away elevational view of the pond pumpassembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pond pump showing the impeller;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away elevational view of the pond pump;

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the pond pump;

FIG. 5B details a bottom perspective view showing the underside of thepond pump;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the pond pump made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7A is an elevational cutaway view of a single bearing axial flowdesign of water pump made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a comparative elevational cutaway view of a single bearingaxial flow design;

FIG. 8 is an elevational cutaway view of a dual bearing axial flowdesign of water pump made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view of an axial flow high volumeimpeller pump; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an axial flow high volume propeller pump.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result fromemploying any or all of the concepts and the features of the variousspecific aspects of the present invention, or those that are within thescope of the invention. The present pump acts to more completely sprayand/or aerate the pond water with a longer lifetime.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

-   -   10. Floating display fountain    -   11. Fountain spray out of the fountain    -   12. Pump discharge    -   13. Mount ring    -   14. Propeller or impeller    -   15. Threaded discharge end    -   16. Bearing    -   17. Motor fairing    -   18. Propeller shaft    -   19. Propeller cone    -   20. Pump housing    -   21. Shaft sleeve    -   22. Flexible coupler    -   23. Outlet housing    -   24. Motor    -   26. Float    -   28. Nozzle    -   30. Pump motor assembly    -   32. Suction screen    -   34. Cooling shroud    -   36. Cooling shroud handle    -   38. Pond    -   40. Pump handles    -   42. Flow of water    -   44. Mount ring inlet    -   46. Inlet mount flange    -   48. Mount ring inlet spokes    -   52. Threaded inlet    -   54. Bearing bell    -   56. Inlet housing    -   58. Motor mount    -   60. Inlet housing fasteners    -   62. Top hand grip    -   64. Bottom hand grip    -   100. Fountain pump    -   111. Pump discharge    -   114. Impeller    -   116. Lower bearing    -   118. Shaft    -   120. Pump housing    -   122. Flexible coupler    -   124. Motor    -   134. Cooling shroud    -   164. Top bearing    -   200. Axial flow high-volume impeller pump    -   202. Impeller lock ring    -   204. Impeller    -   206. Impeller pump upper shroud, bearing-holder    -   208. Impeller shaft    -   210. Pump sleeve bearing    -   212. Stationary upper thrust bearing    -   214. Rotating lower thrust bearing    -   216. Coupler    -   218. Pump lower shroud    -   220. Impeller sand slinger    -   222. Pump motor mount    -   250. Axial flow high-volume propeller pump    -   252. Propeller lock ring    -   254. Propeller    -   256. Propeller pump upper shroud, bearing holder    -   258. Pump sleeve bearing-holder    -   260. Propeller shaft    -   262. Coupler    -   264. Pump lower shroud    -   266. Propeller sand slinger    -   268. Pump motor mount    -   270. Motor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1A is an environmentalview of a motorized high volume pond pump made in accordance with thepresent invention, and FIG. 1A specifically illustrates one aspect ofthe present invention including a floating display fountain utilizing anaxial flow high pressure, low volume water pond pump generally indicatedby the numeral 10.

This floating display fountain pond pump 10 includes a pump discharge 12taking in water from pond 38 and providing a fountain spray 11 whichhelps to aerate the pond by exposing smaller droplets of water to theair. Increased surface area of the smaller droplets encourages aerationof the water, which, in turn, discourages algae growth and stagnationdue to anaerobic conditions in the pond, or whatever body of water thepond pump is being utilized. In this figure, floating display fountain10 is attached to a float 26 which supports the fountain nozzle 28 atthe surface of the water. Underwater, and while being supported fromabove by float 26, is a pump housing 20 which encases a prop cone 19 anda shaft sleeve 21. Water is sucked up through the water pump discharge12 through suction screen 32 and is then forced towards the surface bythe pump through nozzle 28 to form fountain spray 11. The entireassembly is easy to handle due to the pump handles 40 and the coolingshroud handle 36 attached to the bottom and top of the suction screen,respectively.

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of all of the various componentsof the floating display fountain made in accordance with the presentinvention. Starting at the top, there can be seen the water fountainnozzle 28 which is a threaded device that is threaded onto a threadedmount ring 13 on top of pump discharge 12. Float 26 was shown in itsenvironment in FIG. 1. Immediately below the float 26 is the pump motorassembly 30 which encases motor 24 in the central cavity of the pumpmotor assembly 30. Surrounding motor 24 is a suction screen 32 whichprevents particulates from entering into pump from within the ponditself. A cooling shroud 34 is located intermediate between the motor 24and the suction screen 32. The cooling shroud 34 has a cooling shroudhandle 36 at its distal end.

FIG. 1C will recite like elements to those delineated in FIGS. 1A and1B. This is a perspective view of the pump portion of the floatingdisplay shown in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 1B, only all thecomponents have been constructed and are shown in their relativeplacements after manufacture. Again, suction screen 32 is attached tothe bottom of pump housing 20, which in turn is connected to a mountring 13. Pump handle 40 is attached to the outer perimeter of the pumphousing 20, and also connects pump discharge 12 by the use of at leastone nut and bolt. At the top of pump housing 12 is a threaded dischargeend 15 in order to be attached to the float as shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D shows yet a different perspective of the floating displayfountain 10 and shows impeller 14 centrally located on top of the pumphousing 20 underneath mount ring 13. Various types of water thrustingmechanisms may be used, including water thrusters of either a propelleror an impeller. Both of these aspects will be described more fullyhereinbelow. Handle 40 is shown as attached by nut and bolt to the baseof the pump discharge housing. Again, suction screen 32 is underneathall of this. Either water thrusting means may be located at any pointalong the longitudinal axis shaft, depending upon the application.

FIG. 2A shows the complete pump motor assembly with outlet housing 23atop the pump housing 20. Housing handles 40 are attached in between theoutlet housing and the pump housing to enable an operator to easily liftand maneuver the housing. Motor 24 is shown without its other componentsso as to indicate the relative placement between the pump housing andthe motor.

FIG. 2B is an environmental elevational view showing the presentinvention cut in half for a clear view of the relative placement of thecomponents. As before, outlet housing 23 is shown attached to the pumphousing 20 with handles 40 located intermediate. Motor 24 has attachedto the top of it impeller 14 with a recessed area between the motor andthe pump housing, to allow water to bypass the motor and be suckedupward by impeller 14. As the water is forced upward from impeller 14,through the outlet housing 23, the fountain spray is created out of thetop of pump housing 23.

FIG. 2C shows an even closer cutaway view of FIG. 2B, and also includesa showing of a motor fairing 17 for covering the seal between bearing16, impeller 14 and the top of motor 24. As discussed before, pumphousing 20 has motor handles 40 secured to the top of it for ease ofhandling.

FIG. 3 is yet another view of impeller 14 connected to mount ring inletspokes 48 attached to the top of a flexible coupler 22 in accordancewith the present invention. A threaded inlet 52 is shown on the side ofpump housing 20. Mount ring inlet 44 helps to provide a waterproof sealbetween handles 40 and the pump housing 23 (not shown in this figure)for housing the impeller 14.

Flexible coupler 22 is made in accordance with the present invention,and substantially alleviates much of the problems with vibration andother fatal defects in the prior art. Flexible coupling 22 takes thevertical rotational direction from the shaft and transfers it upward tospokes 48 and then consequently impeller 14, in order to provide thefountain spray and ultimately the aeration of the water. Suitableflexible couplers may be made of any flexible material, includingsemi-rigid rubber, polymeric or other materials capable of beingsubmerged for lengthy time periods without any degradation whatsoever.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation cutaway view of the propeller shaft 18 withits propeller cone 19 and shaft sleeve 21 in their relative placements.As can be seen, flow of water 42 comes up through the motor fairing 17as the impeller 14 rotates on prop shaft 18, thereby drawing water upfrom the bottom and spraying it out the top. Bearing 16 is used tostabilize prop shaft 18 during rotation, and is further included withinbearing bell 54. Inlet housing fasteners 60 secure the inlet mountflange 46 and the motor mount 58 to the pump housing. Suitable bearingsmay include sleeve bearings, roller bearings, thrust bearings or anyother type of bearing to stabilize the pump shaft while in operation tominimize vibration and shaking.

Suitable bearings help keep the thrust of the impeller rotor balanced so“up thrust” on the shaft will not be a problem during pump operation.Typically with conventional impeller style axial flow pumps, theimpeller will have unbalanced forces in the axial direction. This causesthe impeller to move up in the pump housing, eventually causing damageor de-coupling of the pump shaft. Although there are several methods andsolutions to resolving up-thrust, the design of the present inventionmay be the most compact and evasive design as possible to reduce anynegative effects of pump performance. Preferred materials includeceramics, such as silicon carbide and alumina, or any otherself-lubricating material for thrust bearings in a high speed, lowlubrication application.

With combined reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is shown a topperspective view of the workings of the present invention, along with abottom view to show the relative placement of various components. Withlike reference to elements in previous drawings, one can see thatimpeller 14 rides on flexible coupler 22 and is capped off by a propcone 19, all of which is sleeved over prop shaft 18. The bearing bell 54holds the prop shaft 18 and bearing 16 in place so that when prop shaft18 rotates, the rotation is smooth and dampens any vibration. Top handgrip 62 is attached optionally to handles 40 to aid in the handling ofthe device after assembly. Further down prop shaft 18, is the mount ringinlet spokes 48 for urging the water up to by pass the impeller tocreate the fountain. All of this is assembled onto the inlet housing 56,which is then attached to the other components below.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the entire assembly, andbeginning at its tip includes prop cone 19. Shaft sleeve 21 helps tosecure impeller 14 onto prop shaft 18. Bearing 16 is sleeved withinbearing bell 54, which is attached to the mount ring inlet 44 havingmount ring inlet spokes 48 integral therewith. Flexible coupler 22 isthe aspect of this invention that is providing an unexpectedly goodresult. Motor fairing 17 sleeves over flexible coupler 22 and is housedwithin inlet housing 56. An inlet mount flange 46 is secured ontohandles 40, which may optionally include a top hand grip 62. Further,optionally installed would be bottom hand grips 64.

FIG. 7A illustrates a cutaway version of an optionally improved axialflow, high volume, low pressure propeller pump with an impeller 14encased within a pump housing 20, wherein impeller 14 is rotated axiallyby shaft 18 extending from motor 24. Flexible coupler 22 surrounds shaft18 to provide a flexible rotational coupling to lengthen the lifetime ofthe motor. Bearing 16 may be made of any suitable material, including aceramic, a ceramic ball, a polymeric sleeve material or any appropriateelastomeric or polymeric materials. In addition, most of the assembly,including the pump shroud, the propeller, the bearing, the shaft, thecoupler and the pump inlet shroud could all be made from variouspolymeric materials in order to provide damping, vibration prevention,and thereby elongating the life of motor 24. In the original aspect ofthis invention, flexible coupler 22 can be purchased from FranklinElectric Company, which can be the same manufacturer of motor 24.Franklin Electric Company is located in Fort Wayne, Ind.

FIG. 7B acts as a comparison to the second aspect of the inventionillustrated in FIG. 7A, wherein the pump discharge 12 is surroundingimpeller 14, which is held in place by bearing 16 onto shaft 18. Pumphousing 20 encapsulates the flexible coupler 22, which helps to holdshaft 18 onto motor 24.

Looking now to FIG. 8, we now look at an elevational cutaway of yetanother aspect of the present invention, which includes a dual bearingdesign that does not cause premature motor failure as it is utilizing anaxial flow design rather than a radial flow design as is evident intraditional water generation pumps. Fountain pump, generally denoted bynumeral 100, includes a pump discharge 111, not shown in this diagram,coming from a top bearing for axial flow 164 within pump housing 120.Impeller 114 is steadied by a flexible coupler 122 and lower bearing116. Shaft 118 extends through the interior of both upper and lowerbearings 164 and 116, respectively, and is coupled to the motor 124inside the cooling shroud 134.

FIG. 9 is a perspective cut-away view of yet another aspect of thepresent invention illustrating an axial flow high volume impeller pump,generally denoted by numeral 200. Impeller pump 200 includes an impeller204 held onto impeller shaft 208 by an impeller pump upper shroud 206and impeller lock ring 202. A pump sleeve bearing 210 is held in placeby impeller pump upper shroud bearing holder 206. In addition, astationary upper thrust bearing 212 is preferably a silicon carbideholder bearing. While other materials are suitable, preferably thebearing is made of any non-corrosive material, such as silicon carbide,silicon nitride or any other suitable ceramic bearing. Ceramic bearingswill not rust or corrode while being under water for long periods oftime. A rotating lower thrust bearing 214 may also be utilized, and thisthrust bearing may also be preferentially again made of a ceramicbearing material such as silicon carbide, silicon nitride or any othersuitable bearing material. A coupler 216 is in mechanical contact withlower thrust bearing 214 and is located atop pump lower shroud 218.Underneath pump lower shroud 218 is an optional impeller sand slinger220 immediately adjacent a pump motor mount 222 on pump motor 224. Eachof these components are vertically aligned on impeller shaft 208 whichextends therethrough to allow for axial flow.

FIG. 10 is a cut-away perspective view of yet another aspect of thepresent invention illustrating an axial flow high-volume propeller pumpgenerally denoted by the numeral 250. Propeller 254 is the mechanicalpump in this aspect, and it is mounted on a longitudinally orientedpropeller shaft 260 in communication with a pump motor 270. Propeller254 rotates axially on propeller shaft 260 to provide upward thrust bypropelling fluid and converting rotational motion into linear motion.Propeller pump sleeve bearing 258 also rotates on propeller shaft 260and includes a coupler 262 intermediate between propeller shaft 260 andmotor 270. propeller 254 is rotatably secure onto propeller shaft 260 bypropeller lock ring 252. between coupler 262 and motor 270 is pump lowershroud 264 and optionally a propeller sand slinger 266. propeller 254and pump sleeve bearing 258 and coupler 262 are encased within pumpupper and lower shrouds 256 and 264, respectively. Integral andterminating in pump motor mount 268 includes interior connectors formounting onto motor 270 and stabilizing propeller shaft 260 forrotational stability.

Suitable thrust bearings come in several varieties, including thrustball bearings, composed of ball bearings supported in a ring,appropriate for low thrust applications where there is little axialload, and cylindrical thrust roller bearings where small cylindricalrollers are arranged flat with their axes pointing to the axis of thebearing. Although cylindrical thrust roller bearings exhibit goodcarrying capacity and they tend to be inexpensive, they tend to wearsignificantly due to radial speed and friction differences, which ishigher than with ball bearings. In addition, for some applications,tapered roller thrust bearings that utilize small tapered rollersarranged so that their axes all converge at a point on the axis of thebearing may be most suitable. Each of these types of thrust bearings arecommercially available nationwide, and would not require undueexperimentation to incorporate into the present invention.

For all the aspects of the present invention, including any of thebearings, propellers, pump shrouds, shaft, coupler, or lower pumpshroud, may be made of any suitable material, including ceramics,flexible materials such as polymers and elastomers, and metalliccomponents, as well as any other suitable material. Although the motoris shown as a motor commercially available from Franklin ElectricCompany of Fort Wayne, Ind., any suitable motor with a rotational shaftcoupler possibility may be suitable. Further, in any of the aspectsdetailed above, the pumps may either be high volume, low pressure pumps,or they may be a high volume, high pressure pump, depending on how muchlift and/or head the pump is designed to handle.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result fromemploying any or all of the concepts and the features of the variousspecific aspects of the present invention, or those that are within thescope of the invention. The flexible coupler acts to stabilize the propshaft and the entire device so that there is longer life for the pumpmotor. Although the prior art teaches away from the use of a flexiblecoupler, the present invention was fully researched and after manyattempts, the flexible coupler was determined to be successful.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings with regards to the specific aspects. The embodimentwas chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles ofthe invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one ofordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in variousaspects and with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention bedefined by the claims which are appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A high volume pond pump, comprising: a pumphousing; a pump motor integral with the pump housing; a pump shaftmechanically in communication with the pump motor, and being put intorotational motion by the pump motor; at least one water thrusterattached to the pump shaft; at least one bearing on the pump shaft; aflexible coupler for connecting the pump motor to the at least one waterthruster, whereby the rotational motion is dampened from vibration,thereby lengthening the life of the pump motor.
 2. The high volume pondpump of claim 1, wherein the pond pump is a submersible pump.
 3. Thehigh volume pond pump of claim 1, further comprising a suction screenlocated around the motor to strain out pond water particulates thatcould harm the pump motor.
 4. The high volume pond pump of claim 1,wherein the at least one water thruster is an impeller.
 5. The highvolume pond pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one water thruster isa propeller.
 6. The high volume pond pump of claim 1, wherein the atleast one bearing is selected from the group consisting of sleevebearings, thrust bearings, roller bearings, and any combination thereof.7. The high volume pond pump of claim 1, wherein the at least onebearing includes an upper and a lower bearing.
 8. The high volume pondpump of claim 6, wherein the at least one bearing is at least one thrustbearing made of a ceramic material selected from the group consisting ofsilicon carbide, alumina, silicon nitride and any combination thereof.9. The high volume pond pump of claim 1, wherein the flexible coupler ismade of a material selected from the group consisting of linear lowdensity polyethylene, rigid polymeric materials, semi-rigid polymericmaterials, polyvinyl chloride, PETG, butyrate, ABS, high impactpolystyrene, styrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and thermoplasticelastomers, and combinations thereof.
 10. A method of pumping pondwater, comprising: providing a pond pump with a water thrustermechanism; attaching a float to the pond pump; floating the pond pump ina body of water, such as a pond; providing power to the motor; andspraying water upward into the air by converting rotational motion ofthe pond pump into linear forces on the pond water, whereby the pondwater is forced upward into the air above the water.